AUSTRALIA has entered the war against ISIL, with two heavily armed RAAF F/A-18F Super Hornet fighter jets taking off moments apart at 2.02pm on Sunday afternoon, or just after 9pm EST last night.

Australian authorities in the forward operating base in the United Arab Emirates said the jets returned to base without using any bombs because while they were in the air awaiting directions on a target, no directive came through.

A RAAF Super Hornet awaits the weapons that will be loaded on to it.Source:Supplied

Leading Aircraftman Cameron Newell inspects the landing gear on a Multi Role Tanker Transport at Australia’s logistic base in the Middle East.Source:Supplied

Armament technicians with the weapons to be loaded on to RAAF Super Hornets.Source:Supplied

Ready for take off ... A Super Hornet on the runway before the first combat mission.Source:Supplied

The two dual cockpit jets, carrying pilots and air combat officers, returned to base after almost eight hours in the air.

The sortie marks Australia’s definitive entrance into the war against ISIL as it now joins the US, Britain, France and Gulf States, which have variously been striking at locations in Iraq and northern Syria.

Australia gets involved ... Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) aircrew disembark a RAAF F/A-18F Super Hornet aircraft after a mission in the Middle East. Picture: Supplied.Source:Supplied

The departure of the Super Hornets was preceded by the RAAF’s KC-30A Multiple Transport Tanker, a converted A330 Airbus that took off at the stroke of 2pm.

Twin beasts ... RAAF Super Hornets on the taxiway.Source:Supplied

Refuel mission ... A nightime shot of a Super Hornet over Iraq.Source:Supplied

Its purpose was to refuel both jets during their long mission, which likely struck at locations in northern or western Iraq, where ISIL fighters are heavily concentrated as they try to push into Baghdad.

Some Australians at the forward operating base briefly tore themselves away from the rugby grand final to watch the jets depart.

Secret mission ... A Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) F/A-18F Super Hornet Air Combat Officer, mid flight, en route to the Middle East Region. Picture: Supplied.Source:Supplied

Mission complete ... A RAAF Super Hornet in its hangar after completing the first combat mission.Source:Supplied

The sight of the two fighters setting off low and fast out of the base made real for the 400 RAAF and 200 Special Forces in the Middle East that Australia was now formally involved in the fight.

The decision on what areas to target is understood to be determined on a day-to-day by US military intelligence in consultation with Coalition partners.

The Australians said the jets were fully prepared to strike but no target was identified for them while they were airborne.

The Australian fighter jets, both from 1 Squadron out of Amberley in Queensland, use infra-red targeting systems and can stay in constant contact throughout their mission with a Coalition operations centre located in the Middle East.

Fighter jets ... A Royal Australian Air Force technician checks an F/A-18F Super Hornet aircraft after it flew a mission in the Middle East. Picture: Supplied.Source:Supplied

Some service people said the jets appeared to be carrying extra fuel loads. The F/A-18Fs are capable of carrying an array of weaponry, including AIM-9X Sidewinder missiles, GPS guided bombs and nose-mounted cannons.

Australia so far has located six F/A-18 Super Hornets in the UAE and could bring in two more if required.

The US is understood is bolstering its jet fighter attacks on ISIL in Iraq and Syria with missiles launched from carriers in the Persian Gulf.

So far, Australia will confine its attacks to within Iraq, where the new government has invited it to strike back at the terror group that is running amok over a vast swathes of Iraq and Syria, drawing the region into chaos.